"This is a huge concern," Evans, NOKOA's publisher and editor, said of White's decision to stick with a campaign schedule apart from Obama's events in Austin and Dallas on Monday. "It says that in Texas, Democrats like to run to the right."

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Evans told me he sees White courting the undecided, "middle-class white vote ... and I think he has eroded his base in the process ... I don't see much difference between his positions and (GOP Gov.) Rick Perry's when it comes to working-class people in Texas."

Evans' reaction highlights one aspect of Perry's efforts to tie Obama to White, and White's determination to run on his own merits. While reaching out to those who may disagree with Obama, he must keep faith with core Democrats who support the president.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, who spoke for the campaign on the issue, said White's camp will motivate his base. But Ellis, D-Houston, added that Democrats "have been on the outside of the corridors of power in the Capitol for so long, we don't need to spend our time talking to each other. We need to spend our time finding converts and bringing them into the tent" - specifically Republicans and independents.

White spokeswoman Katy Bacon said White's schedule on Monday including Midland, Abilene and Alvarado is part of his effort to talk to as many Texans as possible.

Evans said he tends to vote for Democrats, but that he hasn't decided on the governor's race. Candidates also include the Green Party's Deb Shafto and Libertarian Kathie Glass.

"We're not locked into voting for Democrats, Republicans or nobody," he said. "I'm going to support whoever tangibly makes efforts to bring us together as a state and uplift those who are at the bottom and have not been treated fairly."

Metal detector$

Your tax dollars at work: Texas is spending $3 million in state tax dollars on metal detectors, other equipment and training in the much-ballyhooed effort to increase Capitol security. That's in addition to cost for increased staffing levels. No mention of any increased cost for processing additional concealed handgun permits, which lobbyists in particular rushed to get because holders can bypass the lines at security checkpoints.

Meet, greet

Perry, who will greet President Barack Obama at the airport on Monday, is fresh off last week's trip to California that included fund-raising, an appearance at a legislative conference and "some personal time," according to campaign spokesman Mark Miner. The fund-raisers included a breakfast (minimum contribution $1,000) at the ChargersTraining Facility in San Diego hosted by Chargers honcho Dean Spanos. Perry posted a picture from the trip on his Twitter page. It features himself, his wife, Anita, and Michael Reagan. Check it out at blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/.

White's camp, which likes to take out after Perry for his travel and what it calls his light work schedule (Perry disagrees), said that from July 1 until Aug. 6, Bill White had visited 54 cities and towns in 44 Texas counties.

Still no debate

It's week nine of waiting for Perry to agree to a debate since White released his tax returns for his time as Houston mayor. Perry's camp says he won't discuss debate dates until White releases returns from his time as deputy energy secretary under Clinton and as Democratic Party chairman.